Traumatic Brain Injuries | Practice Areas | Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys

An Overview- Traumatic Brain Injuries

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that about 1.7 million people sustain a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) every year and that a new TBI occurs every 15 seconds. Brain injuries can be caused by any number of events- from falls and sports injuries, to car accidents and assault- and can result in a range of devastating outcomes.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Statistics

An estimated 1.7 million people sustain a TBI annually, leading to 52,000 deaths, 275,000 hospitalizations, and 1.365 million emergency room visits.
TBI is a contributing factor to a third (30.5%) of all injury-related deaths in the United States.
About 75% of TBIs that occur each year are concussions or other forms of mild traumatic brain injury.
Men are at twice the risk for TBI as women.
TBI is the leading cause of death for individuals over the age of 45.
TBIs cost $60 billion in the United States in 2000.

Traumatic Brain Injury Causes

Falls

Falls are the leading cause of TBI- rates are highest for children aged 0 to 4 years and for adults aged 75 years and older.
2007- A Virginia jury awarded $12,264,302.00 to a woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury after a slip and fall at a Miller Mart store in Williamsburg.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of TBI-related death. Rates are highest for adults aged 20 to 24 years.
2011- A 61 year old grandmother was hospitalized for a traumatic brain injury after the SUV she was traveling in was hit by an 18-wheeler. The case settled for $5.3 million.

Assault

Violence accounts for a number of TBIs every year; blunt-force trauma to the head is the common cause.
2007- A California jury awarded $6.8 million to a college football player for a traumatic brain injury he suffered when he was knocked unconscious by a security guard outside a restaurant in 2007.

Struck by/Against Accidents

A TBI can occur when a person is hit by a falling object or strikes their head against an object. This can happen in a variety of situations, including work-related accidents.
2010- A carpenter working in Manhattan suffered a brain injury when a large unsecured piece of wood form fell 12 feet and struck him in the face. His case settled for $2.1 million.

Cerebral Hypoxia/Anoxia

Lack of oxygen to the brain can also cause a TBI. This can happen when a person chokes or is strangled, or can be the result of a medical mistake.
2010- A woman sustained a hypoxic brain injury as a result of developing sepsis from a surgical error that occurred during a gynecologic procedure. Her case resulted in a $1.5 million recovery.

Brain Injury Warning Signs

Numbness
Excessive drowsiness
Severe headache
Weakness in the arms or legs
Dizziness or loss of vision
Slurred speech
Loss of consciousness or confusion
Vomiting or nausea

The Aftermath of TBI

A TBI can lead to a variety of health issues ranging from memory loss and trouble sleeping to seizures, coma, and death. Studies have indicated that it can take up to 10 years to fully recover from a TBI. The cost can be a tremendous burden on the individuals and their families, but that is only the beginning. Survivors may also suffer cognitive, sensory, motor, and emotional impairments for the rest of their lives.

Legal Options

If you or someone you love has suffered a TBI, you may choose to hire an attorney to help you recover damages. An attorney can help relieve the burdens faced by TBI survivors and their families by working to get compensation for:

Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Past and future medical expenses

Contact an Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney

Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys is a personal injury law firm with offices in Corpus Christi, Texas and Houston, Texas representing traumatic brain injury victims nationwide. Our priority is to provide our clients with the best legal representation. Our experienced trial attorneys are committed to defending your rights in personal injury matters including traumatic brain injuries caused by auto or truck accidents, maritime accidents, on the job injuries, defective products, or medical malpractice.

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